DAY 1. ARRIVAL.

Arrive at Chennai International Airport for a short journey to your hotel in Muttukadu. We will all meet this evening for dinner and a chat about what lies ahead.

DAY 2. VIP TOUR OF THE ROYAL ENFIELD FACTORY.

This is a real treat as we are VIP guests of Royal Enfield. We’ll be picked up by private bus and taken to the latest state of the art factory to see the motorcycles you will be riding for the next two weeks being manufactured.

DAY 3. MUTTUKADU - PONDICHERRY (120km).

It’s a short distance and an easy ride today as we hug the Bay of Bengal coastline all the way. We stay in the former French colony of Pondicherry. It’s an incredible place and it feels as if an elegant country town has been transported to southern India. It’s a small and sophisticated city with strong French influences. The opening scenes from the film “Life of PI” were filmed here.

DAY 4. PONDICHERRY - KUMBAKONAM (150km).

Heading inland takes us into the pilgrimage city of Kumbakonam whose origins date back to the Sangam period of the 3rd century BC. You’ll be missing the essence of this place if you don’t taste the coffee. Kumbakonam filter coffee is one of the best in India.

DAY 5. KUMBAKONAM – YERCAUD (225km).

Today we cross the Kollidam River as we ride through the hustle and bustle of Tamil Nadu’s towns and countryside. We’ll miss the chaos and hectic traffic of Salem before riding the final 30kms up through narrow mountain roads. Yercaud is a scenic and picturesque hill station. Coffee and citrus fruits, most notably oranges, are grown in abundance, as well as bananas, pears and jackfruit.

DAY 6. YERCAUD - MYSORE (260km).

We leave Tamil Nadu and cross into the state of Karnataka. Today’s destination is the organised chaos, bustling crowds and crazy traffic of Mysore. If you haven’t been to Mysore, you just haven’t seen South India. An ancient city with more than 600 glorious years of legacy. Known for its glittering royal heritage, bustling markets, magnificent monuments, cosmopolitan culture and a friendly populace, it is also a thriving centre for the production of premium silk, sandalwood and incense.

DAY 7. MYSORE - KALASA (300km).

We have a relaxing ride out of Mysore on good highway today as we head towards the Silent Valley of Kalasa. It has to be one of the most beautiful parts of south India. It’s a heavily forested coffee and pepper growing region and is known as the Scotland of India due to its stunning scenery. Tonight’s accommodation is deep inside the jungle.

DAY 8. KALASA - MANGALORE (155km).

If you like the “twistys” you will love todays ride as we drop down from Kalasa on beautiful winding tarmac roads heading towards the Arabian Sea coastline. Mangalore is a busy city however we avoid it all as we head to our rest day resort situated on the Netravati River. It has a pool, a poolside bar, chilled beers and fabulous food. What more could you ask for?

DAY 9. REST DAY IN MANGALORE.

Chillout by the pool or head into Mangalore City for a bit of sightseeing. There’s also an option to take a boat trip on the Netravati River.

DAY 10. MANGALORE - SHIMOGA (300km).

Today’s ride is stunning. We head into the Western Ghats mountain range where we should start to feel a drop in temperature. The two rivers, Tunga and Bhadra have their sources here in the mountains. Chikmagalur district also boasts Mullayanagiri, the highest peak in Karnataka. It is alternatively spelt Chikkamagaluru, which literally means ‘The town of the younger daughter’ in the native Kannada language. We ride through Bhadra Wildlife Reserve which is genuine tiger country, and yes, there really are tigers in the area. Tonight’s stop is in Shimoga which hardly sees any foreigners.

DAY 11. SHIMOGA - HOSPET (HAMPI) (215km).

We get a real glimpse into rural life as we ride the rugged landscape across South India’s farming heartland. This is a part of the country that most foreigners never see or get the opportunity to visit. It’s commonly known as the ‘rice bowl’ of India due to its contribution in feeding the vast population of almost 1.3 billion people.

DAY 12. REST DAY IN HAMPI.

There aren’t enough words to describe Hampi, the former Vijayanagar Empire. It dates back to the third century as was at one time the biggest city in the world. Vast stretches of boulder-strewn hills make it absolutely unique. Dotted around the hills and valleys are 500 plus monuments. Among them are beautiful temples, basements of palaces, remains of aquatic structures, ancient market streets, royal pavilions, bastions, royal platforms and treasury buildings. The list is practically endless.

DAY 13. HAMPI - KARWAR (325km).

The distance we cover today is the longest on the ride however the roads are in good condition. We start not long after sun up and should reach the fishing port of Karwar on the west coast well before dark, all going to plan.

DAY 14. KARWAR - COLVA BEACH (80km). FINISH.

It’s our last riding day and we have a leisurely cruise up the west coast before crossing into the final state on our journey, Goa. You will see white painted churches everywhere as it was under Portuguese rule for over 450 years. We head for Colva beach, one of the longest in India at 22kms long. You can sit on the beach and watch the glorious sunset over the Arabian Sea as we prepare for our last night beach party.

DAY 15. DEPART.

(Travel on to The Secret Beach for two additional nights – optional extra).